Following the launch of 8.ta’s 10 GB post-paid data bundle promotion, South Africa’s newest mobile operator is now introducing a new offer with low broadband rates for pre-paid users.

8.ta is offering a 3 GB pre-paid data bundle promotion at R149, which consists of 2 GB anytime data and 1 GB Midnight Surfer data for use between 12 am and 5 am. This translates to users  basically paying 5 cents per MB.

Managing executive of Telkom Mobile, Amith Maharaj, said 8.ta has responded to the need for an aggressively priced pre-paid data bundle.

“This offer gives users the freedom to purchase an economically priced data bundle as and when needed, with no contract commitments or large upfront payments. It also provides contract subscribers from all networks with the ability to topup their data usage for the remainder of the month,” Maharaj added.

When, where & RICA

This promotional bundle will be available from Sunday 21 August 2011. Participating Telkom Direct Stores, 8.ta Flagship stores, Altech Auto Page and Nashua Mobile will activate the SIM, for access to the new Pre-paid Data promo rate plan immediately. For standard Pre-paid SIM Cards purchased and RICA’d at any other channels the subscriber will need to contact the 8ta call centre on 081180 or 081183 to convert to the new pre-paid Data promo Rate plan.

In line with the purchasing of any pre-paid service, subscribers will need to perform the RICA process at the channel. Once subscribers have been provisioned for the Pre-paid Data promo rate plan, they may load airtime onto their SIMs and then purchase the R149 bundle via USSD by dialling *180# on their handset or modem dashboard and then following the Data Bundle purchase menu prompts.

As with all other 8.ta Pre-paid data bundles, the bundle is valid until the end of the next calendar month, e.g. if a subscriber purchases a bundle on 1 September, then the bundle will only expire on 31 October. There is no limit to the number of pre-paid data bundles a subscriber may purchase.

Existing Pre-paid Per Second Billing and Per Minute Billing users will be allowed to convert to the new Pre-paid Data promo Rate plan, by calling the call centre on 081180 or 081183.

The Pre-paid data offer will only be offered on 8.ta’s network and 8ta subscribers can check out the company’s website, to view a comprehensive coverage map to make certain that they fall within the coverage area.

Wait there’s more...

To prevent bill shock, 8.ta provides users with a ‘safety net’ to check balances and make out-of-bundle purchase decisions in real-time using the redirect functionality.

With this offer, the users will also receive a free e-mail account with free access to online Office Web Applications the likes of Microsoft Word, -Excel and -PowerPoint, allowing them to store documents online, without having to purchase a license.

The offer does, however not include a modem, giving customers the option and freedom to utilise their existing compatible modems or purchase a compatible modem that suits their needs.

Available 8ta data modem models:

8.ta stores offer the following data modems (all prices incl. VAT):

• Huawei E173 (capable of up to 7.2 Mbps Downlink and up to 5.76 Uplink Speed) @ R 349

• Huawei E367 (capable of up to 21.6 Mbps Downlink and up to 5.76 Uplink Speed) @ R699

• Huawei E1820 (capable of  up to 21.6 Mbps Downlink and up to 5.76 Uplink Speed) @ R699

Subscribers will also have access to a free call-out and support service with every purchase of a data modem from 8.ta.